Rep. Casimiro and Sen. Lawson introduce legislation to fund RI Vision Education and Services Program

 

            STATE HOUSE – Rep. Julie A. Casimiro and Sen. Valarie J. Lawson have introduced resolutions (2023-H 6389, 2023-S 0984) to appropriate $3 million to the Rhode Island Vision Education and Services Program at Rhode Island College.  The program serves and supports Rhode Island’s blind and visually-impaired students.

            “When our blind and visually-impaired students were faced with a disruption in their educations two years ago, the Joint Vision Services Task Force was formed to ensure that this never happened again.  The task force spent countless hours listening about and analyzing the issues that threatened these vital services to our blind and visually-impaired students and the recommendations within this resolution will make sure that these students have the skills, knowledge and tools they need to be independent and successful adults in the future,” said Representative Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter).

            “Students who are blind or have visual-impairments should not be forgotten and I know that the recommendations that the task force put forth to support these students and their families will have a truly beneficial impact on their lives and futures. It is our shared duty to ensure that the doors of opportunity, in school and beyond, are open to all residents, and the Sherlock Center makes that possible for our blind and visually-impaired students,” said Senator Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).

            The Rhode Island Vision Education Services Program (RIVESP) is housed at the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College. RIVESP specialists work with blind and visually impaired students in more than 26 school districts across the state.  Two years ago, funding for the program came into question and the General Assembly was quick to respond by restoring funding for two years in the state budget.

            In further response, the Joint Vision Services Task Force was created to find an ongoing funding source for the RIVESP at the Sherlock Center.  Representative Casimiro and Senator Lawson served as co-chairs of the task force.

            Over the course of meetings held in 2021 and 2022, the task force heard testimony, and reviewed presentation material, pertaining to critical issues related to vision services and the Sherlock Center including funding, staffing, governance and structure, the need for operational improvements, and the use of alternative programs by certain municipalities. 

            In addition to appropriating $3 million to the program, the task force recommended appointing a full-time director of the program who would have full decision-making authority; who would develop and manage the budget; and who would develop staffing policies to ensure the students receive the highest quality education.  The task force also recommended establishing a board of directors who would provide oversight; identify the educational needs of students; and develop educational polices to meet student needs. Districts that provide their own services to visually impaired students are also supported in the resolution.

            Reps. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence), Thomas E. Noret (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick) and William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) and Sens. Frank A. Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston), Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) and Frank Lombardo (D-Dist. 25, Johnston) also served on the task force.

            Representative Casimiro’s resolution was referred to the House Finance Committee and Senator Lawson’s resolution was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.       

 

The House has began a debate session ahead of tonight's vote on the debt ceiling deal. The bill negotiated between the White House and Republicans would suspend the nation's debt ceiling for two years. Voting is scheduled to begin this hour.       Former President Trump's White House aides are being subpoenaed over the firing of a top election security official. Trump fired his cybersecurity chief Christopher Krebs in November 2020 after the presidential election. It came days after Krebs went against Trump's false election fraud claims in a statement describing the election as one of the most secure in American history.       Actor Danny Masterson is guilty of raping two women. On Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury also said it was deadlocked on the charge related to a third accuser. The jury deliberated for seven days before deciding the actor raped the two victims at his Hollywood Hills home two decades ago.        The GOP field for the 2024 presidential nomination is about to get another candidate. Axios reports that former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will announce his candidacy at a town hall in New Hampshire next week. A once ally of former President Trump, Christie has turned into one of his critics within the Republican party.       Only 18 percent of Americans are satisfied with the state of the nation. That's about half of the historical 35-percent average. A new Gallup poll shows that the number of Americans saying they're satisfied with the trajectory of the country has been below 20-percent since March.       Bruce Springsteen is said to be ok after falling on stage while performing in Amsterdam over the weekend. The singer took a spill while going up a set of stairs, but was quickly helped up by members of his E Street Band. One concertgoer tweeted that the 73-year-old was able to finish the concert.